While the 'test of the year' - as cricinfo dubbed it - played out in Dunedin, Australia destroyed the West Indies by an innings in Brisbane. Predictably, once Ponting won the toss and chose to bat, a total of 400+ was racked up on the reliable Gabba wicket. Although I think West Indies bowled well at times, the conditions and their own inexperience prevented them from restraining the flow of runs. After a day and a half in the field the patience and will power required to counter such a total was never on the cards and the game was wrapped up inside 3 days - a result one-sided in equal measure to the even contest across the Tasman
OBSERVATIONS:
- Shane Watson remained as opener despite whispers of Mike Hussey but after his dismissal for a duck - LBW for the 10th time (of 19 innings) - questions may be more vehemently raised as to his future there
- The coverage of the cricket this summer includes a new piece of technology called Gatorade which measures heart-rates of players. No doubt the commentators will enjoy showing us the rates throughout the tests/ODIs/2020s - although I agree with Slater, that it should be used in Bill Lawry while he commentates
- The review system appeared in this game also and highlighted a potential flaw in regard to emotional appeals from batsmen. Chris Gayle appealed unsuccessfully in both innings over his own (plumb!) LBW dismissal and captains and players will learn from his foolishness. No doubt some of his team mates may have been displeased for their own captain to use up their appeals
Australia should proceed to sweep this series in all fairness but then I do hope to be proven wrong for we saw in Dunedin how good an even Test match can be
Well that's if from here and I hope to see you again
It's good bye for now
No comments:
Post a Comment